Drivers pulling in for a quick fill-up in Center City are finding out the hard way that the most expensive part of the trip is not the gas, it is the “help.” Scammers posing as friendly strangers at a Sunoco near Walnut and 22nd streets have been stepping in at the pump, then running up customers’ cards and disappearing, according to Philadelphia police. At least two people who recently filled up there later spotted much bigger charges on their credit or debit accounts, and station employees have started posting warnings as the pattern drags on.
As reported by NBC10 Philadelphia, customer Amy Trachtenberg said she later saw about a $75 charge from the station, well above what she expected. Another driver, Mignon Adams, thought she was paying roughly $28 for gas, only to discover a charge of about $150. The outlet detailed how suspects cozy up to motorists, offer to pump the gas, then either keep control of the nozzle or pretend to return it. Once the cardholder pulls away, the active pump can be used to fill other vehicles for cash, while the original customer is left on the hook. Philadelphia police told the station they are investigating the incidents.
What ‘pump-switching’ looks like
The scam, often called pump-switching, starts when someone insists on “helping” at the pump, then keeps the nozzle out or otherwise keeps the transaction alive. With the card still being billed, scammers can move on to other cars, sell the gas for cash and vanish before anyone is the wiser. Many victims do not see the damage until days later, when bank alerts or statements roll in. As reported by CBS Philadelphia, authorities warned of similar cases last year and urged drivers to complete their own transactions from start to finish and hang on to receipts.
How to protect yourself
Police say the safest move is to keep control of the pump the entire time. That means hanging up the nozzle yourself or pressing “end transaction” on the screen, then printing a receipt before you drive off. If anyone gets pushy about handling the pump, officers recommend stepping away to a safe spot and calling 911 rather than getting into a tug-of-war over the handle. Banks can often reverse fraudulent charges if they are reported quickly, and saving receipts or snapping photos of the pump screen can give investigators something concrete to work with. FOX29 Philadelphia has relayed these warnings from local departments.
The Sunoco at Walnut and 22nd has now posted signs warning customers about people offering to pump gas, the station manager told NBC10 Philadelphia. The manager said the problem “has been ongoing for the last year,” and corporate representatives told the outlet the location is operated by 7-Eleven. Customers who suspect they were overcharged are being urged to contact their bank immediately and file a police report.
Potential criminal exposure
In past pump-switching cases in the region, police said people who profit from the scheme can be hit with felony counts that include theft, receiving stolen property and various device-fraud charges. Prosecutors typically lean on paper and digital trails, including receipts, surveillance footage and bank records, to build a case. That is why investigators keep telling victims to save every scrap of documentation. As reported by CBS Philadelphia, law-enforcement officials say those records are critical for any successful prosecution…